Prospective Bear Stalkers Begin Their Hunt For Licenses

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Those hoping to bag a black bear in Maryland this fall are beginning their hunt for licenses.

The online application process begins Monday and continues through Aug. 31. A lottery drawing will be held Sept. 2.

The Department of Natural Resources says it will issue 750 permits for the four-day season that begins Oct. 24.

That's a 50 percent increase from the number of permits issued last year, but the territory open for hunting is also expanding. Bear hunting will be allowed in Frederick and Washington counties for the first time since Maryland ended a 51-year moratorium in 2004.

Since then, bear hunting has been restricted to the two westernmost counties, Garrett and Allegany.